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MISSION 29P
The following two images, the colour one from Peter Tickner, indicate that there is an excess of blue light in the upper right of the coma (p.a. 270-350 deg). This may be evidence of the emission of light from ionised gas moving in this direction and overtaking the slower-moving dust. Thanks Peter.
Preface
A YouTube video of a BAA Webinar on the subject of this most unusual solar system object has been available since 2021 May 14. It features Prof Laura Woodney of California State University, San Bernardino and myself presenting some latest findings about this object and talking about possibilities of sending a space probe to investigate further.
Coverage of the latest apparition of 29P began with observations by Jean-François Soulier during the early hours of June 25.
What is Comet 29P?
This comet (aka 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1) is the most observable that exists and yet we understand very little about it. It is the second-most active body in our Solar System, after Jupiter's moon, Io, in that its level of volcanism is engendered by tidal interactions with the planet. The Comet Section has therefore launched this special project to ensure that our understanding of it is much improved such that it becomes the most observed comet that we know of.
This mysterious object is temporarily locked in its present near-circular orbit by the gravity of the giant planets, Jupiter and Saturn. Located at a mean heliocentric distance of 6.0 au, 29P describes an orbit around the Sun every 14.7 years or so, with a perihelion distance of 5.7 au and aphelion of 6.3 au. Because it never approaches the Sun closely, it never exhibits a distinctive tail, i.e. quite unlike most people’s idea of a comet. But like Jupiter and Saturn, the comet is observable during most of each year apart from the couple of months it spends in solar conjunction. Current location in the JPL Small-Body Database Browser.
Intensive observations have been underway since 2014 when the mini-outburst phenomenon was discovered, i.e. weak outbursts not exceeeding 1.0 mag in amplitude. The following set of plots show its behaviour during its seven 2014-2020 apparitions (click on the image to obtain larger views). The provisional plot for 2020 has been included.
So what can you do as an observer?
First if you want to capture images that can be used to perform photometry then do consult the Observing Tutorial.
Currently Richard Miles coordinates the observing campaign so please direct any queries to him. The main objectives are:
1. Detect any new outburst as soon as possible after it has taken place so that we can (a) determine the time of the event, and (b) initiate 'target of opportunity' images with the 2.0-m Faulkes Telescopes to study the resulting expanding coma.
2. Measure the brightness of the inner coma and determine (a) the maximum brightness of each outburst, and (b) follow its subsequent decline photometrically.
3. Establish a long-term archive of: (a) its photometric lightcurve (intensive observations began in 2014); (b) a high-precision astrometry archive (so its orbit is precisely known for the prediction of stellar occultations); and (c) archive images series depicting the development of the expanding coma after each significant outburst
By recording its characteristics in this way it is hoped that we can elucidate the true nature of this object
Current Status and Latest Observations:
STOP PRESS - Fourth outburst on 2021 09 27.6+/-0.2 almost 9 times greater intensity than the first two events !!!!
STOP PRESS - Third outburst on 2021 09 27.0 almost 5 times greater intensity than the former two events. Time between each pair of outbursts ~20 h
LATEST: An outburst of about 2.5 mag amplitude appears to have occurred on 2021 September 25.34 +/-0.005 followed about 20 hours later by another outburst of similar intensity
Thanks again to Patrick Wiggins (718) imaging from Utah and a good run of clear skies, and Denis Buczynski in Scotland also favoured with clear skies these past two nights, we have witnessed a double outburst, where one presumably has subsequently triggered another cryo-eruption (see listing of observations below). These two events might herald more intense activity in the coming few years. The last 2.5 years have only witnessed 8 events brighter than mag 14.5R, which coincides with similar relatively quiescent behaviour seen earlier when the comet was halfway around its orbit of the Sun, i.e. two seasons earlier. If the nucleus has a high tilt then these quiescent times may correspond to the seasons when the poles are directed towards the Sun (and Earth). Since the equatorial regions on the nucleus experience the greatest amount of solar radiation, these are likely to be more thermally processed and hence exhibit more intense cryovolcanicity. Watch out in the coming year or two for 12th magnitude outbursts.
An earlier outburst of the current apparition was detected by JF Soulier on August 25. It exhibited an outburst amplitude of 2.4 mag and subsequent imaging using the 2.0-m Faulkes Telescope North has revealed structures in the expanding inner coma.
Here's the appearance of the coma on September 8, showing the new event as a brighter inner coma whilst the edge of the outer coma has continued to expand at 0.22 km/s:
The present 2021-2022 apparation began with the first observations reported by Jean-François Soulier on June 25 at a solar elongation of 29° in the morning sky. That means that the comet hid from us when too close to the Sun for just 13% of the time - a new record!
Previous apparition
The 2020-2021 apparition is now over with a record 338.5 days of coverage, the longest such coverage of any apparition and also the most observing epochs achieved (1168). The observers who contributed were:
The following image is the last one taken this apparition with the comet at only 19° solar elongation. It is not detected which means it was fainter than magnitude 16.0R at that time.
29P appears to have had a mini-outburst of 0.9 mag amplitude whilst at 25° solar elongation. Here's the image:
Patrick Wiggins observing from Utah has confirmed the mini-outburst, his observations yielding a magnitude of 15.74R.
Two very weak mini-outbursts occurred during March. They were each of just 0.11 magnitudes amplitude reaching 16.9R:
With many dedicated observers following 29P, we get a much more reliable evaluation of small brightness changes even though it is now 17th magnitude. This is a good demonstration of the benefit of having more observers. For the first 11 days of coverage, the intrinsic trend due to varying distance and phase angle is expected to be a fade of 0.018 mag. However on March 17.46 +/-0.28 there looks to have been a step-change of 0.11 mag (red datapoints). This is the smallest mini-outburst that we have detected.
Recent images:
The following two images were taken at almost the same time. The one on the right is unfiltered. You can see extra coma further from the nucleus than can be seen in the r'-filtered image on the left. The reason for this may be that the nucleus has been almost quiescent during the past 30 days with little debris ejected far into space since most of it falls back. So what does escape is gas from sublimating hypervolatile ices and it is the emission lines from the gas that adds to the coma brightness far from the nucleus.
We know that the main gas species is carbon monoxide and most CO+ emission lines appear at wavelengths shorter than the passband of the r' filter (550-690 nm). Also nitrogen (N2+) emission is mostly at the blue end of the spectrum Unfiltered images should pick up these faint gaseous emissions as can be seen in Jean-François Soulier's image on the right. In future, using the new MuSCAT3 camera on the FT North, it should be possible to look for colour changes in the coma following weak outbursts. This will be particular so if the comet remains largely quiescent close to opposition.
See plot below also showing how data from several observers monitoring the comet allows us to detect small outbursts. We've had a couple of such events as shown in these plots:
Thanks to Jean-François Soulier (L27, Haute-Provence, France) and Nick James (970, Chelmsford, UK) who independently discovered the comet going into outburst. Thanks to Nick's timely alert we have obtained the best coverage ever of one of this comet's outbursts. Here is a plot of the data from L27 showing the outburst lightcurve analysed in terms of the G magnitude using a 10" radius photometric aperture. A video of this outburst has been prepared by Jean-François.
Another outburst also took place less than 6 days later on 2020 November 25.45±0.24 with the magnitude going from 15.3R to 14.3R
29P reached opposition on November 6 and so now appears in the early evening sky making it an excellent target for northern hemisphere observers. Located in Aries at a declination of +24 degrees, the comet is visible for a couple of hours after sunset between now and the end of April.
Here below is the final light-curve for 2020-2021 showing its activity during this apparition up to April 24. Click on the plot if you want to see the full-size image. There have been two very strong outbursts: one on July 26 and a second on November 19, i.e. separated by 2 x 57.9 d in time - Note the link with the nominal periodicity of 57.71 d reported in 2016, strongly indicative of the same source outbursting after two rotations of the nucleus. Minute-by-minute coverage of the November 19 event was achieved largely thanks to Jean-François Soulier's dedicated 29PREMOTE observatory. More on those findings later. Jean-François was also successful in catching the start of the August 22 event. In all we now have outburst lightcurves spanning the first few critical hours for FOUR events namely in 2017, 2019 and 2020(2).
In addition to strong outbursts, the nucleus has exhibited at least 24 mini-outbursts some of which have been so weak that there have been 5 instances where a large fraction of the ejecta have, after several days, fallen back onto the nucleus. This happens because the nucleus is very large (approx. 64 km across) and so has a relatively high gravity and high escape velocity (approx. 20-25 m/s). Our detailed observations are revealing this collapse of the inner coma - a behaviour unique to this body! We might indeed consider 29P not to be a comet but instead a unique Transition Object that was once a TNO.
Observational data in MPC format
Full archive datasets
0029P KC2021 09 24.90319 04 57 24.95 +31 45 37.6 16.76R C10 6.48" (7.29")
0029P KC2021 09 24.95257 04 57 25.20 +31 45 41.5 16.78R C10
0029P KC2021 09 25.00228 04 57 25.51 +31 45 45.3 16.72R C10
0029P KC2021 09 25.05197 04 57 25.76 +31 45 49.4 16.77R C10
0029P KC2021 09 25.10168 04 57 26.06 +31 45 53.5 16.67R C10
0029P KC2021 09 25.15142 04 57 26.30 +31 45 57.5 16.62R C10
0029P KC2021 09 25.18562 04 57 26.47 +31 46 00.6 16.69R C10
0029P C2021 09 25.05318 04 57 25.87 +31 45 49.7 16.88R Z24 5.46" (5.66")
0029P C2021 09 25.05487 04 57 25.88 +31 45 49.8 16.87R Z24
0029P C2021 09 25.11576 04 57 26.16 +31 45 54.4 16.87R I81 5.20" (5.72")
0029P C2021 09 25.11718 04 57 26.16 +31 45 54.3 16.81R I81
0029P C2021 09 25.11858 04 57 26.17 +31 45 54.5 16.68R I81
0029P C2021 09 25.11998 04 57 26.19 +31 45 54.6 16.89R I81
0029P C2021 09 25.12139 04 57 26.18 +31 45 54.8 16.94R I81
0029P C2021 09 25.12282 04 57 26.19 +31 45 54.9 16.91R I81
0029P C2021 09 25.12424 04 57 26.20 +31 45 54.8 16.86R I81
0029P C2021 09 25.12566 04 57 26.22 +31 45 55.2 16.79R I81
**Outburst at 2021 09 25.340 +/-0.005 16.90R => 14.43R
0029P C2021 09 25.35522 04 57 27.54 +31 46 13.3 16.09R 718 5.18" (5.55")
0029P C2021 09 25.35605 04 57 27.53 +31 46 13.3 16.11R 718
0029P KC2021 09 25.35689 04 57 27.54 +31 46 13.2 16.17R 718 5.18" (5.55") 5x60s
0029P C2021 09 25.35689 04 57 27.55 +31 46 13.4 16.17R 718
0029P C2021 09 25.35772 04 57 27.57 +31 46 13.5 16.17R 718
0029P C2021 09 25.35856 04 57 27.55 +31 46 13.5 16.24R 718
0029P C2021 09 25.99113 04 57 30.80 +31 47 03.1 14.47R I81 5.20" (5.72")
0029P C2021 09 25.99254 04 57 30.80 +31 47 03.1 14.45R I81
0029P C2021 09 25.99395 04 57 30.80 +31 47 03.3 14.43R I81
0029P C2021 09 25.99536 04 57 30.83 +31 47 03.4 14.42R I81
0029P C2021 09 25.99678 04 57 30.82 +31 47 03.4 14.43R I81
0029P C2021 09 25.99821 04 57 30.83 +31 47 03.4 14.40R I81
0029P C2021 09 25.99963 04 57 30.84 +31 47 03.7 14.40R I81
0029P C2021 09 26.00106 04 57 30.84 +31 47 03.6 14.38R I81
**Outburst at 2021 09 26.15 +/-0.12 14.45R => 13.73R
0029P C2021 09 26.30301 04 57 32.30 +31 47 27.5 13.74R 718 5.18" (5.55")
0029P C2021 09 26.30384 04 57 32.29 +31 47 27.9 13.71R 718 star corr
0029P C2021 09 26.30468 04 57 32.29 +31 47 28.2 13.70R 718 star corr
0029P C2021 09 26.30551 04 57 32.31 +31 47 28.0 13.73R 718 star corr
0029P C2021 09 26.30634 04 57 32.30 +31 47 28.1 13.73R 718 star corr
**Strong outburst at 2021 09 26.98 +/-0.05 13.75R => 12.40R
0029P C2021 09 27.10242 04 57 35.77 +31 48 29.3 12.68R D09 4.84" (5.44") r' filter
0029P C2021 09 27.10420 04 57 35.76 +31 48 29.4 12.69R D09
0029P C2021 09 27.10600 04 57 35.79 +31 48 29.4 12.68R D09
0029P C2021 09 27.10778 04 57 35.78 +31 48 29.5 12.69R D09
0029P C2021 09 27.10956 04 57 35.78 +31 48 29.5 12.69R D09
0029P C2021 09 27.11134 04 57 35.80 +31 48 29.6 12.68R D09
0029P C2021 09 27.11313 04 57 35.79 +31 48 30.1 12.70R D09
0029P C2021 09 27.11492 04 57 35.81 +31 48 30.1 12.70R D09
0029P C2021 09 27.10242 04 57 35.77 +31 48 29.3 12.66R D09 6.05" (6.65") r' filter
0029P C2021 09 27.10420 04 57 35.76 +31 48 29.4 12.65R D09
0029P C2021 09 27.10600 04 57 35.79 +31 48 29.4 12.65R D09
0029P C2021 09 27.10778 04 57 35.78 +31 48 29.5 12.64R D09
0029P C2021 09 27.10956 04 57 35.79 +31 48 29.7 12.64R D09
0029P C2021 09 27.11134 04 57 35.80 +31 48 29.6 12.64R D09
0029P C2021 09 27.11313 04 57 35.81 +31 48 30.0 12.65R D09
0029P C2021 09 27.11492 04 57 35.81 +31 48 30.1 12.65R D09
0029P C2021 09 27.36414 04 57 36.82 +31 48 49.4 12.40R 718 5.18" (5.55")
0029P C2021 09 27.36497 04 57 36.83 +31 48 49.5 12.40R 718
0029P C2021 09 27.36580 04 57 36.84 +31 48 49.6 12.40R 718
0029P C2021 09 27.36664 04 57 36.84 +31 48 49.5 12.38R 718
0029P C2021 09 27.36747 04 57 36.82 +31 48 49.5 12.38R 718
**Very strong outburst at 2021 09 27.68 +/-0.06 12.40R => 11.15R
0029P C2021 09 27.87888 04 57 38.71 +31 49 28.1 11.49R I81 5.20" (5.72")
0029P C2021 09 27.87959 04 57 38.70 +31 49 28.1 11.50R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.88031 04 57 38.71 +31 49 27.8 11.51R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.88103 04 57 38.67 +31 49 28.3 11.51R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.88175 04 57 38.72 +31 49 28.0 11.50R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.88247 04 57 38.72 +31 49 28.3 11.51R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.88319 04 57 38.70 +31 49 28.6 11.49R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.88391 04 57 38.72 +31 49 28.7 11.51R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.88463 04 57 38.71 +31 49 28.7 11.50R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.88535 04 57 38.72 +31 49 28.9 11.50R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.88613 04 57 38.73 +31 49 28.8 11.49R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.88684 04 57 38.70 +31 49 29.2 11.49R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.88756 04 57 38.72 +31 49 29.0 11.48R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.88827 04 57 38.73 +31 49 28.5 11.48R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.88898 04 57 38.72 +31 49 28.7 11.46R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.88969 04 57 38.72 +31 49 28.9 11.48R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.89040 04 57 38.74 +31 49 29.3 11.48R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.89111 04 57 38.75 +31 49 28.9 11.48R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.89182 04 57 38.73 +31 49 29.1 11.46R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.89182 04 57 38.73 +31 49 29.1 11.46R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.89253 04 57 38.73 +31 49 29.2 11.46R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.89379 04 57 38.73 +31 49 29.0 11.45R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.89450 04 57 38.76 +31 49 29.3 11.46R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.89521 04 57 38.73 +31 49 29.5 11.44R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.89593 04 57 38.75 +31 49 29.6 11.45R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.89664 04 57 38.75 +31 49 29.8 11.46R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.89735 04 57 38.75 +31 49 29.4 11.42R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.89806 04 57 38.77 +31 49 29.8 11.45R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.89878 04 57 38.74 +31 49 29.7 11.43R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.89949 04 57 38.74 +31 49 29.6 11.43R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.90020 04 57 38.76 +31 49 29.6 11.44R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.90090 04 57 38.76 +31 49 30.1 11.44R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.90162 04 57 38.76 +31 49 30.1 11.43R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.90233 04 57 38.77 +31 49 29.9 11.43R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.90304 04 57 38.78 +31 49 30.0 11.43R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.90375 04 57 38.78 +31 49 30.2 11.43R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.90446 04 57 38.78 +31 49 30.2 11.43R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.91101 04 57 38.82 +31 49 31.0 11.48R L27 6.0" (6.71")
0029P C2021 09 27.93200 04 57 38.85 +31 49 32.5 11.45R L27
0029P C2021 09 27.95797 04 57 39.08 +31 49 34.7 11.57R L27
0029P C2021 09 27.97895 04 57 39.04 +31 49 36.2 11.45R L27
0029P C2021 09 28.00492 04 57 39.07 +31 49 38.2 11.54R L27
0029P C2021 09 28.02592 04 57 39.19 +31 49 38.4 11.55R L27
0029P C2021 09 28.05187 04 57 39.26 +31 49 42.0 11.54R L27
0029P C2021 09 28.07285 04 57 39.41 +31 49 44.6 11.56R L27
0029P C2021 09 28.09875 04 57 39.48 +31 49 45.7 11.58R L27
0029P C2021 09 28.11974 04 57 39.47 +31 49 47.1 11.47R L27
0029P C2021 09 28.14569 04 57 39.55 +31 49 49.1 11.76R L27
0029P C2021 09 28.16667 04 57 39.60 +31 49 50.4 11.64R L27
0029P C2021 09 28.18868 04 57 39.68 +31 49 51.8 11.58R L27
0029P C2021 09 27.94809 04 57 38.92 +31 49 33.4 11.38R I81 5.20" (5.72")
0029P C2021 09 27.94809 04 57 38.92 +31 49 33.4 11.38R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.94846 04 57 38.94 +31 49 33.3 11.38R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.94883 04 57 38.95 +31 49 33.3 11.40R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.94920 04 57 38.94 +31 49 33.5 11.36R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.94920 04 57 38.94 +31 49 33.5 11.36R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.94956 04 57 38.95 +31 49 33.4 11.35R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.94992 04 57 38.92 +31 49 33.7 11.36R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.95029 04 57 38.94 +31 49 33.7 11.36R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.95065 04 57 38.95 +31 49 33.6 11.36R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.95101 04 57 38.95 +31 49 33.7 11.37R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.95138 04 57 38.94 +31 49 33.7 11.37R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.95184 04 57 38.94 +31 49 33.7 11.37R I81 5.20" (5.72")
0029P C2021 09 27.95220 04 57 38.95 +31 49 33.7 11.36R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.95257 04 57 38.95 +31 49 33.9 11.38R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.95293 04 57 38.95 +31 49 33.8 11.38R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.95330 04 57 38.94 +31 49 33.8 11.38R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.95366 04 57 38.96 +31 49 33.8 11.38R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.95402 04 57 38.96 +31 49 34.0 11.37R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.95439 04 57 38.96 +31 49 33.9 11.37R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.95475 04 57 38.95 +31 49 34.0 11.37R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.95511 04 57 38.95 +31 49 34.1 11.38R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.95548 04 57 38.97 +31 49 34.1 11.37R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.95584 04 57 38.97 +31 49 34.0 11.37R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.95621 04 57 38.97 +31 49 34.2 11.36R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.95657 04 57 38.97 +31 49 34.2 11.37R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.95694 04 57 38.97 +31 49 34.1 11.37R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.95731 04 57 38.98 +31 49 33.8 11.37R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.95768 04 57 38.96 +31 49 34.2 11.36R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.95805 04 57 38.97 +31 49 34.3 11.36R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.95842 04 57 38.97 +31 49 34.3 11.36R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.95878 04 57 38.98 +31 49 34.3 11.38R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.95915 04 57 38.96 +31 49 34.3 11.37R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.95951 04 57 38.95 +31 49 34.5 11.36R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.95951 04 57 38.95 +31 49 34.5 11.36R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.95989 04 57 38.98 +31 49 34.6 11.36R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.96026 04 57 38.98 +31 49 34.2 11.36R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.96062 04 57 38.98 +31 49 34.3 11.36R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.96099 04 57 38.98 +31 49 34.4 11.37R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.96137 04 57 38.98 +31 49 34.4 11.37R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.96173 04 57 38.98 +31 49 34.4 11.36R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.96210 04 57 38.99 +31 49 34.4 11.38R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.96247 04 57 38.99 +31 49 34.5 11.37R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.96284 04 57 38.98 +31 49 34.8 11.37R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.96321 04 57 38.98 +31 49 34.6 11.38R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.96357 04 57 38.98 +31 49 34.5 11.38R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.96394 04 57 38.98 +31 49 34.6 11.36R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.96689 04 57 38.99 +31 49 35.0 11.37R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.96726 04 57 39.01 +31 49 35.0 11.37R I81
0029P C2021 09 27.96763 04 57 38.99 +31 49 35.1 11.34R I81
0029P KC2021 09 28.02665 04 57 39.21 +31 49 39.8 11.04R 204 6.5" Rc filter A. Aletti
0029P KC2021 09 28.02665 04 57 39.21 +31 49 39.8 11.32R 204 4.9"
0029P KC2021 09 28.07704 04 57 39.38 +31 49 44.0 11.45R Z17 5.70" (5.90") T. Angel
0029P C2021 09 28.05252 04 57 39.31 +31 49 42.1 11.35R Z17
0029P C2021 09 28.05304 04 57 39.31 +31 49 42.1 11.37R Z17
0029P C2021 09 28.05355 04 57 39.31 +31 49 42.2 11.36R Z17
0029P C2021 09 28.07617 04 57 39.38 +31 49 44.0 11.36R Z17
0029P C2021 09 28.07704 04 57 39.39 +31 49 44.1 11.35R Z17
0029P C2021 09 28.07790 04 57 39.39 +31 49 44.2 11.34R Z17
0029P C2021 09 28.09715 04 57 39.44 +31 49 45.6 11.31R Z17
0029P C2021 09 28.09766 04 57 39.45 +31 49 45.7 11.30R Z17
0029P C2021 09 28.09821 04 57 39.45 +31 49 45.8 11.33R Z17
0029P C2021 09 28.15657 04 57 39.60 +31 49 50.3 11.13R Z17
0029P C2021 09 28.15708 04 57 39.61 +31 49 50.3 11.15R Z17
0029P C2021 09 28.15760 04 57 39.61 +31 49 50.4 11.09R Z17
0029P C2021 09 28.17740 04 57 39.66 +31 49 51.9 11.30R Z17
0029P C2021 09 28.17792 04 57 39.66 +31 49 51.9 11.31R Z17
0029P C2021 09 28.17847 04 57 39.66 +31 49 52.0 11.31R Z17
0029P C2021 09 28.21959 04 57 39.76 +31 49 55.1 11.29R Z17
0029P C2021 09 28.23989 04 57 39.81 +31 49 56.6 11.28R Z17
0029P C2021 09 28.24041 04 57 39.82 +31 49 56.7 11.27R Z17
0029P C2021 09 28.24096 04 57 39.82 +31 49 56.7 11.25R Z17
0029P C2021 09 28.31898 04 57 40.22 +31 50 01.5 11.19R 718 8.14" (8.51")
0029P C2021 09 28.31982 04 57 40.16 +31 50 01.3 11.18R 718
0029P C2021 09 28.32065 04 57 40.16 +31 50 02.0 11.17R 718
0029P C2021 09 28.32148 04 57 40.14 +31 50 01.9 11.17R 718
0029P C2021 09 28.32232 04 57 40.19 +31 50 02.2 11.20R 718
0029P C2021 09 28.35352 04 57 40.27 +31 50 04.2 11.16R 718
0029P C2021 09 28.35435 04 57 40.24 +31 50 04.8 11.16R 718
0029P C2021 09 28.35518 04 57 40.32 +31 50 04.5 11.15R 718
0029P C2021 09 28.35602 04 57 40.27 +31 50 04.9 11.16R 718
0029P C2021 09 28.35685 04 57 40.24 +31 50 04.5 11.16R 718
0029P C2021 09 28.37407 04 57 40.30 +31 50 06.5 11.15R V37 7.80" (8.00") r' filter
0029P C2021 09 28.37508 04 57 40.30 +31 50 06.6 11.16R V37
0029P C2021 09 28.37609 04 57 40.30 +31 50 06.7 11.16R V37
0029P C2021 09 28.38487 04 57 40.27 +31 50 05.9 11.15R 718 10.36" (10.73")
0029P C2021 09 28.38571 04 57 40.27 +31 50 06.1 11.15R 718
0029P C2021 09 28.38654 04 57 40.31 +31 50 06.6 11.13R 718
0029P C2021 09 28.38737 04 57 40.25 +31 50 06.8 11.15R 718
0029P C2021 09 28.38821 04 57 40.31 +31 50 05.9 11.14R 718
0029P C2021 09 28.42194 04 57 40.434+31 50 10.26 11.16R H06 R filter 8.20" (9.02") MM
0029P C2021 09 28.60902 04 57 40.94 +31 50 24.3 11.12R F65 7.98" (8.11") r' filter
0029P C2021 09 28.60922 04 57 40.94 +31 50 24.3 11.12R F65
0029P C2021 09 28.60942 04 57 40.94 +31 50 24.3 11.12R F65
0029P C2021 09 28.60961 04 57 40.95 +31 50 24.3 11.13R F65
0029P C2021 09 28.60981 04 57 40.95 +31 50 24.3 11.13R F65
0029P C2021 09 28.61001 04 57 40.91 +31 50 24.5 11.12R F65
0029P C2021 09 28.99615 04 57 42.04 +31 50 52.4 11.09R Z10 5.49" (5.79")
0029P C2021 09 28.99874 04 57 42.03 +31 50 52.7 11.09R Z10
0029P C2021 09 29.00132 04 57 42.05 +31 50 53.0 11.10R Z10
0029P C2021 09 29.00391 04 57 42.06 +31 50 53.2 11.10R Z10
0029P C2021 09 29.02113 04 57 42.10 +31 50 54.5 11.02R I81 9.36" (9.88") near star
0029P C2021 09 29.02155 04 57 42.11 +31 50 54.7 10.99R I81
0029P C2021 09 29.02196 04 57 42.06 +31 50 54.9 10.97R I81
0029P C2021 09 29.02238 04 57 42.05 +31 50 54.9 10.99R I81
0029P C2021 09 29.02287 04 57 42.07 +31 50 55.1 10.99R I81
0029P C2021 09 29.02734 04 57 42.10 +31 50 54.5 10.96R I81
0029P C2021 09 29.02864 04 57 42.12 +31 50 55.0 10.96R I81
0029P C2021 09 29.02924 04 57 42.11 +31 50 54.7 10.98R I81
0029P C2021 09 29.05554 04 57 42.15 +31 50 57.1 11.23R I81 5.20" (5.72")
0029P C2021 09 29.05905 04 57 42.15 +31 50 57.3 11.26R I81
0029P C2021 09 29.06016 04 57 42.18 +31 50 57.2 11.22R I81
0029P C2021 09 29.06717 04 57 42.20 +31 50 57.7 11.21R I81
0029P C2021 09 29.06754 04 57 42.19 +31 50 58.4 11.23R I81
0029P C2021 09 29.06790 04 57 42.17 +31 50 58.0 11.22R I81
0029P C2021 09 29.06827 04 57 42.17 +31 50 58.0 11.21R I81
0029P C2021 09 29.06864 04 57 42.16 +31 50 58.0 11.23R I81
0029P C2021 09 29.06901 04 57 42.22 +31 50 58.0 11.21R I81
0029P C2021 09 29.06938 04 57 42.16 +31 50 58.2 11.22R I81
0029P C2021 09 29.06974 04 57 42.20 +31 50 57.9 11.21R I81
0029P C2021 09 29.07011 04 57 42.18 +31 50 58.4 11.23R I81
0029P C2021 09 29.07048 04 57 42.15 +31 50 57.9 11.22R I81
0029P C2021 09 29.07286 04 57 42.20 +31 50 58.5 11.25R I81
0029P C2021 09 29.07323 04 57 42.18 +31 50 58.6 11.24R I81
0029P C2021 09 29.07359 04 57 42.17 +31 50 58.4 11.24R I81
0029P C2021 09 29.07396 04 57 42.19 +31 50 58.5 11.24R I81
0029P C2021 09 29.07433 04 57 42.15 +31 50 58.1 11.25R I81
0029P C2021 09 29.07470 04 57 42.17 +31 50 58.3 11.23R I81
0029P C2021 09 29.07507 04 57 42.21 +31 50 58.1 11.27R I81
0029P C2021 09 29.07544 04 57 42.20 +31 50 58.6 11.22R I81
0029P C2021 09 29.07580 04 57 42.16 +31 50 58.3 11.27R I81
0029P C2021 09 29.09008 04 57 42.25 +31 51 00.1 11.17R Z17 5.70" (5.90")
0029P C2021 09 29.09094 04 57 42.27 +31 51 00.1 11.15R Z17
0029P C2021 09 29.09181 04 57 42.29 +31 51 00.5 11.16R Z17
0029P C2021 09 29.09267 04 57 42.29 +31 51 00.3 11.16R Z17
0029P C2021 09 29.18387 04 57 42.44 +31 51 07.4 11.13R Z10 5.49" (5.79")
0029P C2021 09 29.18646 04 57 42.43 +31 51 07.4 11.13R Z10
0029P C2021 09 29.18905 04 57 42.45 +31 51 07.5 11.14R Z10
0029P C2021 09 29.19164 04 57 42.44 +31 51 07.9 11.14R Z10
0029P C2021 09 29.41203 04 57 43.019+31 51 24.06 10.91R H06 11.48" (12.30") Luminance MM
0029P C2021 09 29.41310 04 57 43.017+31 51 24.22 10.99R H06 11.48" (12.30") R filter
0029P C2021 09 29.44484 04 57 43.03 +31 51 26.7 11.31R V39 5.46" (5.85")
0029P C2021 09 29.44585 04 57 43.04 +31 51 26.8 11.32R V39
0029P C2021 09 29.44685 04 57 43.04 +31 51 26.8 11.31R V39
0029P C2021 09 29.44484 04 57 43.10 +31 51 26.3 10.97R V39 11.70" (11.90")
0029P C2021 09 29.44585 04 57 43.10 +31 51 26.3 10.97R V39
0029P C2021 09 29.44685 04 57 43.10 +31 51 26.4 10.97R V39
0029P C2021 09 29.52694 04 57 43.26 +31 51 33.0 11.32R F65
----- end -----
List of Observers:
List of Observatory Codes / Observers / Instruments / Photometric aperture in arcsec
N.B. This is a comprehensive list of observatories/people whose work has contributed to the current Observing Campaign, which began in 2014 February.
203 G. Galli, S. Foglia Italy 0.36-m f/5.76 Schmidt-Cassegrain 5.5
204 L. Buzzi, A. Aletti Italy 0.36-m f/6.5 reflector 4.8/6.0; Italy 0.84-m f/3.5 reflector 5.6
213 R. Naves, M. Campas Spain 0.30-m f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain 10.0 square; Spain 0.30-m f/9 Schmidt-Cassegrain 5.4
323 P. Camilleri, J. Oey, R. Miles Australia 0.40-m f/5 reflector (Perth)
718 P. Wiggins Utah, USA 0.35-m f/7 Schmidt-Cassegrain 5.2
970 N. James England 0.28-m f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain 5.2/5.8 check
A06 E. Cortes Spain 0.25-m f/3.6 Schmidt-Cassegrain 10.0 square
A77 J.-F. Soulier, F. Kugel France 0.20-m f/4 Newtonian reflector 5.0/6.6
B74 J. M. Bosch Spain 0.40-m f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain 10.0 square
B96 E. Bryssinck Belgium 0.4-m f/3.8 Astrograph 5.0
C10 J.-F. Soulier France 0.30-m f/3.8 Newtonian 6.5, 4.9
C35 J. Aledo Spain 0.4-m f/3.4 Reflector 10.0 square
C42 Q. Ye (Zwicky Transient Facility) Xingming, China 0.50-m ?
C77 A. Mantero Italy 0.25-m f/4 Reflector 6.7
D09 P.-J. Dekelver Belgium, 0.30-m f/4 Newtonian 4.84" 4-pix
C90 L. Tremosa Spain 0.30-m f/5 reflector 10.0 square
E94 J. Drummond N.Zealand 0.35-m f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain 5.9; 0.41-m f/5.2 Newtonian 7.2; 0.41-m f/4.5 Newtonian 6.0
G40 J. Tuten, N. Paul Slooh Canary Isles 0.43-m f/6.8 Dall-Kirkham 5.0
H06 N. James New Mexico 0.43-m f/4.5 5.8; A. Watkins New Mexico 0.43-m f/4.5 5.8
I41 Q. Ye (Zwicky Transient Facility) Palomar, USA 1.20-m f/2.5
I64 A. Jones England 0.19-m f/5.2 Maksutov-Newtonian + Rc filter 5.6
I81 D. Buczynski Scotland 0.35-m f/6 Schmidt-Cassegrain 5.2
I88 J. Carrillo Spain 0.36-m f/5 reflector 10.0 square
J01 J. Gonzalez Spain 0.15-m f/6 Ritchey-Chretien 10.0 square
J22 K. Hills La Palma 0.50-m f/2.9 astrograph 5.9, 10.0 square
J24 J. F. Hernandez Spain 0.4-m f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain 10.0 square
J38 F. Garcia Spain 0.25-m f/8.1 Ritchey-Chretien 10.0 square
J47 G. Muler Lanzarote 0.30-m Schmdt-Cassegrain 6.1
J77 R. Miles England 0.35-m f/8 Schmidt-Cassegrain + r' 5.4 also V, B, Clear
K01 A. Watkins England 0.35-m f/7.7 Schmidt-Cassegrain 6.2
K02 P. Carson England 0.32-m f/5.4 Dall-Kirkham 5.5/6.5
K14 M. Morales Spain 0.25-m f/5 Newtonian 5.7, 10.0 square
L27 J.-F. Soulier France 0.20-m f/4 Newtonian reflector 6.5, 5.0
Q38 M. Mattiazzo Australia 0.28-m f/6.3 Schmidt-Cassegrain 5.5
Q67 P. Camilleri, J. Oey, R. Miles Australia 0.32-m F/8.8 RCOS 5.5
Q68 P. Camilleri, J. Oey, H. Williams Australia 0.30-m f/3.0 reflector 7.4; P. Camilleri, J. Oey Australia 0.34-m f/5.9 SCT
W88 K. Breedlove, J. Tuten, A. Hale Chile 0.35-m f/11 Schmidt-Cassegrain (Slooh) ???
W96 J.-F.Soulier, A.Maury, J.-B. de Vanssay Chile 0.4-m f/5.2 Ritchey-Chretien 6.4
Z08 E. Bryssinck Oria, Spain 0.70-m f/6 reflector (remote) 5.2 r'
Z10 P. Carson Spain 0.32-m f/5.4 Dall-Kirkham 5.5
Z30 D. Storey England 0.35-m Ritchey-Chretien 5.9
Z39 A. Acosta Lanzarote 0.23-m Schmidt-Cassegrain 10.0 square
Z42 J. Savage England 0.35-m f/7.7 Schmidt-Cassegrain + V 5.5, 7.9
Z74 F. Soldan Spain 0.20-m f/6.7 Schmidt-Cassegrain 10.0 square
Z80 G. Wells, D. Bamberger England 0.25-m f/8 Ritchey-Chretien 6.7
Z85 T. Angel Spain 0.35-m f/11 Schmidt-Cassegrain 5.6
XXX C.S. Morris California, USA 0.406-m f/6.8 Schmidt-Cassegrain 4.84
Las Cumbres Observatory / Faulkes Telescope Project (R. Miles, A. Hale):
A major contribution to this '24/7' comet monitoring activity have been the observations from the Las Cumbres Observatoryglobal network of telescopes. Access to this network has been made available thanks to the Dill Faulkes Education Trust, and to Dr Paul Roche of the Faulkes Telescope Project based at Cardiff University, Wales assisted by Alison Tripp.
E10 coj 2m0a Siding Spring-FT South 2.0-m f/10 Ritchey-Chretien 5.4
F65 ogg 2m0a Haleakala-FT North 2.0-m f/10 Ritchey-Chretien 5.4
K91 cpt Sutherland A S. Africa 1.0-m f/8 Ritchey-Chretien 5.5
K92 cpt Sutherland B S. Africa 1.0-m f/8 Ritchey-Chretien 5.5
K93 cpt Sutherland C S. Africa 1.0-m f/8 Ritchey-Chretien 5.5
Q63 coj Siding Spring A Australia 1.0-m f/8 Ritchey-Chretien 5.5
Q64 coj Siding Spring B Australia 1.0-m f/8 Ritchey-Chretien 5.5
V37 elp McDonald Observatory A Texas, USA
Latest rotational phase plot showing all outbursts since 2002 August:
